JPC In the News

Cox cable show promotes Stafford poetry popularity

By KRISTINA MARTINO
info@staffordcountysun.com

FREDERICKSBURG - Spoken-word poetry has caught the attention of Stafford area residents in an "American Idol" form.

"Poets Drum," airing on Cox cable channel 25 every Tuesday night at 9 p.m., is a four-segment series beginning June 7 where local poets, vocalists and bands have the chance to compete. Auditions will be held at The Black Swan Lounge in Fredericksburg.

"The purpose of this series is to showcase the great artists of the Stafford-Fredericksburg area," explained Phillip Gregory, executive producer of "Poets Drum."

Gregory is looking for diversity in his contestants. "Anyone can contest as long as they are 18 or older," he said. Five local poets were previously selected in an audition held in May to compete in the audition June 7. Auditions will take place during the Jazz Poetry Café's normal poetry readings, held on the first and third Saturday of every month.

Gregory is seeking 20 poets and 10 soulful vocalists to compete. Those interested are asked to send an e-mail to ga_productions@msn.com. Each contestant will compete in an "open mike" forum for five minutes with a two-song maximum.

"I'm the final decision maker; however, the audience reaction will have an effect on the results," Gregory said. After the June 7 audition, eliminations will be made privately, and five winners will be asked to be present for the June 20 taping. Following that performance, three additional one-hour episodes will be taped for "Poets Drum" and the pool of contestants will be narrowed down throughout these shows. The prize includes free recording time from Comcast and Cox cable companies.

Gregory said he will allow any type of singers and vocalists to audition. However, the theme of the show is spoken-word poetry, a type of poetry read with timing and aggression.

"Before hip-hop and pop music there was only rap. There were only a few pinnacle singers, the rest tried to make it by singing on street corners. In parallel, now these up-and-coming poets have people to network with who inspire them," Gregory said.

Gregory is working to make "Poets Drum" part of Tim Reid Productions, an independent production company. "My ultimate goal is to have my program, 'Poets Drum,' nationally televised. I want to blast the myth that you have to be in New York or L.A. to have your talent reach the general public," Gregory said.

In addition to local contestants, internationally recognized performance poet Taalam Acey will make a guest appearance and presentation. Acey was one of four poets selected by Essence magazine to be featured at the 2001 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

"We find internationally known artists such as Acey to speak because they provide people who aspire to be poets an experience they will never forget," Gregory said.

Spoken word poetry will soon become as mainstream as hip-hop is today, Acey said. "As more and more people are exposed to spoken word, it's going to be assimilated into pop culture. Many of my favorite spoken-word artists are going to become obscure legends. Colleges and high schools are going to have slam teams more often than debate teams. Spoken-word classes will become part of the core requirement of schools and colleges," Acey said.

"Write what inspires. Never rush a poem and only write what you know and feel. You should find your own voice and always look to strike a balance between being artful and lucid communication," Acey advised.

First auditions for "Poets Drum" will be held June 7, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in The Black Swan Lounge, Fredericksburg. Cover is $5 for performers and $10 for guests. For more information, visit: jazzpoetrycafe.net.

This article was originally published in May 2003 on the Stafford County Sun.com website.